Do you ever find yourself in a grocery store and wonder what to do with all of the flaxseed options? Flaxseed is an amazing superfood, but it can be hard to get.
Flaxseed is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. It can be used in various ways including as cooking oil, an egg substitute, or as a dietary supplement.
Despite its many benefits, some people can’t consume Flaxseed due to allergies or dislike of the taste.
The good news is that there are plenty of flaxseed substitutes that you can find easily.
The best substitutes for flaxseed are chia seeds, hemp seeds, almond meals, tofu, and wheat germ.
Keep reading to know which one will be most suitable for you!
Table of Contents
What is Flaxseed?
Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant, which has multiple uses. It can be used as both a cooking oil or an egg substitute. It is high in fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, and protein.
Flaxseeds have a nutty taste and can be used to make flaxseed milk or added to smoothies, salads, and oatmeal.
Flaxseed can be found in many forms including oil, meal, or whole seed. It is usually available whole, but can also be ground into a meal through a process called “cold-pressing.”
5 Best Flaxseed Substitutes
1. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are tiny black or white seeds that can be used to add a nutritional punch to any dish.
Chia seeds can be sprinkled on a salad, cereal, or yogurt. They can also be mixed into water or juice to create a gel that can be used as a substitute for egg in many recipes.
Chia seeds are slightly nutty in flavor and can be used to create chia pudding, which is a great alternative for people who think flaxseed has an unpleasant taste. They have a mild taste that makes them great to mix into many dishes.
Chia seeds are high in fiber, protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and iron.
2. Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are a great substitute for flaxseed because they are tiny green spheres that can be added to almost any dish.
They can be sprinkled on a salad, cereal, or yogurt just like chia seeds. They can also be added to rice or quinoa to add a nutty flavor and have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine because of their impressive nutritional value.
Hemp seeds are slightly nutty in taste and can be used to make hemp milk, which is another great alternative for people who think flaxseed has an unpleasant taste.
Hemp seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals including calcium and iron.
3. Wheat Germ
Wheat germ is the embryo or inner part of a wheat seed. It can be found in health food stores in the form of flour, flakes, and oil.
It is a great substitute for flaxseed. You can sprinkle wheat germ on a salad, cereal, or yogurt or use it as an ingredient in many baked goods and granola bars.
Wheat germ is slightly nutty in taste which makes it great to mix into recipes because it won’t change the flavor too much. It has a mild taste that makes it great to mix into many dishes.
Additionally, wheat germ has a number of benefits for the body. It is rich in fiber, magnesium, iron, copper, thiamin, vitamin B6, and phosphorus.
4. Almond Meal
Almond meal can be used as an easy substitute for flaxseed because it’s readily available in many grocery stores.
It can be used to make almond milk, which is a great alternative for people who don’t like the taste of flaxseed. Moreover, the almond meal can also be baked into cookies or other baked goods to add protein and healthy fats.
It has a mild nutty flavor that won’t change the taste of a dish that much. It can be used as an easy substitute for flaxseed in a number of recipes.
Almond meal is rich in vitamin E, magnesium, manganese, copper, riboflavin, and phosphorus.
5. Tofu
Tofu is a versatile food made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks.
It can be used to make tofu scrambles, which are a great alternative for people who don’t like the taste of flaxseed. Moreover, tofu can also be baked into cookies or other baked goods to add protein and healthy fats.
Tofu has a mild nutty taste and it won’t change the flavor too much. You can use tofu as an easy substitute for flaxseed in a number of recipes.
Tofu is rich in protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, vitamin B2, and selenium. It can also replace paneer if you prefer a vegan option.
What does Flaxseed Taste Like?
Flaxseed has a very strong, bitter taste that can be unpleasant to some people. This is why many people prefer not to use it.
Some people don’t like the taste because of its nutty flavor. Flaxseed doesn’t have an overpowering flavor so you only need to use it in small amounts, but for others, this is still an issue.
Are Flax Seeds Better Than Chia Seeds?
Both flaxseeds and chia seeds have a number of nutritional benefits. Flaxseeds are higher in Omega-3 fatty acids, but chia seeds are higher in minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Flaxseed is slightly better because it’s higher in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber but both foods are great choices.
Chia seeds have a nutty flavor, which a lot of people like because it creates a familiar cooking experience for those used to eating nuts and nut oils.
Flaxseeds have a stronger flavor so you can use less, or you can grind them first, which will give you a more mild flavor.
What Do Flax Seeds Do in Baking?
Flaxseed is a great ingredient for baking. It can be used as an ingredient in many baked goods and granola bars.
You can use flaxseed in place of eggs to create vegan dishes. When mixed with water, it creates a gel that creates moist cakes and muffins.
Flaxseed is also great for thickening soups or sauces when ground into a meal or used whole to create the same effect.
Can I Leave Flaxseed Out of a Recipe?
If you don’t like the taste of flaxseed, it’s okay to leave it out of a recipe.
However, if you are trying to substitute flax seed for eggs, you will need to find another option. Flax seeds are binding agents so they help hold ingredients together in recipes similar to how eggs do.
Ground chia seeds are a good substitute for eggs in most cases. You can also use tofu or applesauce.
You can omit the flaxseed altogether, but if you want to substitute it with something similar, ground chia is an excellent alternative. Tofu is another option that works well as an egg replacement.
Can You Substitute Flaxseed Meal for Flaxseed?
Yes, you can substitute flaxseed meal for flax seed. Flaxseed meal is ground flaxseed, so it’s an easy substitute for whole flaxseeds in almost all cases.
However, you might need to use more of the ground flaxseed than what’s called for in the recipe.
Is Flaxseed Flour the Same as Ground Flaxseed?
Flaxseed flour is another form of ground flaxseed. It’s more finely milled than ground flaxseeds so it isn’t as coarse.
You can use flaxseed flour in most recipes that call for ground flaxseed. You will need to add a little extra liquid if you use the flour because it absorbs more water than whole flaxseeds.
Final Words
Flaxseed has proved to be beneficial for health, but it is avoided by many due to its strong taste.
Now, with the help of this article, you can easily replace flaxseed with any one of these substitutes and stay healthy. So what are you waiting for? Try out flaxseed substitutes today!
